WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's historic endorsement of same-sex marriage Wednesday ended a self-described personal evolution on the issue and marked a change of course that reflects a national shift — but isn't without political risks.

Obama reversed his 2008 stance on same-sex marriage in an interview Wednesday on ABC, explaining, in part, that he originally thought "civil unions would be sufficient" but had come to realize this was not the case, noting: "I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally."

The move could be treacherous in a pivotal battleground state such as Colorado, whose legislature failed to pass a much-less-divisive civil unions bill just the day before.

Photos: Civil Union Rally

But Obama's re-election campaign in Colorado will run with it, betting that young voters — even Republicans — don't view this wedge issue as controversial and independents will cast decisions based on jobs and the economy.

Colorado Democrats say they believe the attempts to get civil unions passed in the state's legislature may help energize the base and some big-money liberal donors to get behind the president with dollars and grassroots organizing.

Obama's solidification of his previously "evolving" view on gay marriage may have been hastened by his vice president, Joe Biden, who said earlier this week that he supported it. Also, two Cabinet members have affirmed support for gay marriage. Interior Secretary and former Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado did not respond to a request for comment on where he was on the matter.

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The timing of Obama's new stance also could tie into his own campaign's bread and butter. One in six of the president's "bundlers" — major contributors to his re-election — are gay, according to a Washington Post analysis over the weekend. Wealthy gay-rights activist Tim Gill, who has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to Obama in the past, lives in Colorado.

But those close to the campaign say many of Obama's top-dollar contributors were not mounting much pressure because of the political minefield that same-sex marriage presents in a tough election year.

Supporters also point to other gains — such as the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" — made in this administration that have mostly satisfied the gay-rights community.

Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has said he opposes gay marriage but supports limited forms of civil unions that allow, for example, hospital visitations.

Most polls have Obama tied with or close to Romney in key swing states.

"I think it's probably a wash for Obama in Colorado," said University of Denver political scientist Peter Hanson. "For independents, this election really boils down to the economy. They're not interested in fighting battles over social issues."

Support for same-sex marriage is probably the fastest-evolving social issue of our time.

Fifty percent of Americans now support gay marriage and 48 percent oppose it, according to a Gallup poll completed last weekend. That is up from just 40 percent approval four years ago.

Among registered independent voters, 57 percent approve of gay marriage. Among Democrats, approval is at 65 percent, while 22 percent of Republicans approve of it.

Registered independents are the most powerful group at this point because almost half a million more people have registered as unaffiliated voters in Colorado in just four years. (By comparison, Democrats added 13,497 new voters and Republicans added 36,896 in the same time period.)

The state GOP did not issue a statement, deferring to the national party, which said its position against same-sex marriage is unchanged. Only one of the state's four Republicans in Congress said something: Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs said his position has been constant: He supports marriage between a woman and a man.

"I am not surprised by the president changing his mind during a tough election year," Lamborn said.

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